Animal trap throwoutproof device



N0V 22, 1949 J. T. UEM-IARD ANIMAL TRAP THROWOUT PROOF DEVICE 2 sheets-sheet 1 Filed Dec. 12, 1946 l .lllulm ...M IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII J. T. LIENHARD ANIMAL TRAP THROWOUT PROOF DEVICE Nov. 22, 1949 Filed Dec. 12, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. JosBPH T. Liam-IARD Patented Nov. 22, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT olf-FICE ANIMAL TRAP THROWOUTPROOF DEVICE Joseph T. Lienhard, Bronx, N. Y.

Application December 12, 1 946, Serial No. 715,821.`

l Claim. 1

The present invention concerns an animal trap throwout proof device and relates more particularly to such a device in a trap comprising a pan on which the animal is intended to step in order to spring the trap.

In conventional animal traps comprising jaws which are spring actuated toward each other upon the release of the trap, it has been customary to hold the jaws open by a dog pivoted to the cross member on the trap and engaging a detent comprised by the pan of the trap. Downward pressure on the pan ofthe trap would be the only way to spring the trap.

An object of the present invention is to, prof vide a trap which may be sprung by downward pressure on the dog as well as by downward pressure` on the pan.

In conventional animal traps, when an animal steps on the pan and any part of his foot rests on top of the dog, the trap is released with the dog throwing the animals footv out because the dog swings outwardly.

In the animal trap of the present invention, if the animal steps on the pan or the dog or any part of his foot comes in contact with the dog, the downward pressure will cause the dog to snap out of the aperture inwardly thereby springing the trap and trapping the animals foot inside the device.

In accomplishing the objects of the present invention, a trap is provided in which the dog is pivoted to the pan and engages a detent aperture formed in the cross member. The pan is pivotally mounted on the pan posts by a lever arm which extends upward from the pivotal connection and the pan extends from a point above the pivotal connection to a length of several inches therefrom. The dog is pivotally connected thereto and extends into an aperture in the rigid cross member. As a result of this construction, downward pressure on either the pan or the dog causes the pan to pull the dog longitudinally out of the aperture and thus spring the trap.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claim in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the improved trap throw-out means embodied in a double jaw coiled spring type of trap.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the device.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of a portion o the trap, the jaws being sprung.

Fig. 5 is an end elevational view of Fig.. 4.

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of Fig. 3, but omitting the jaws.

Fig. 7 is a perspective detailed view of the pan used in this device.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the trap Il) comprises the bottom member IIr which terminates at either end in the jaw posts Il 2 which are vertically upturned integral portions thereof. Extending horizontally from the mid-point of the bottom portion and at right angles thereto is the cross member I3 which terminates in an npturned detent portion I4 formed with the detent aperture I5 therein. The spring frame I6 is a substantially ueshaped piece of very stili: wire extending horizontally from the bottom portion II and about the two legs of which are located coil springs II, one free end I8 of each coil spring engages the cross member I3 and the otherv free end I9 of each of the springs I'I engages one of a pair of spring follower plates 20. U-shaped jaws 2| are pivotally connected to the jaw posts I2 to swing in arcs extending oppositely from the bottorn member I I. The spring follower plates 20 are substantially iiat stiff members pivotally connected to the spring frame I6 and formed with apertures 22 through which the jaw posts I2 extend and through which the terminal portions of the jaws 2| also extend.

A pan post 23 is mounted on the cross member I3 and constitutes a standard for a pan pivot 24 on which a pan 25 is mounted by means of an upward and inward extending lever arm 23 which is connected to the pan 25 at substantially its central point and for some distance longitudinally outward therefrom.

Pan 25 is a substantially flat member extending from a point substantially above the pan post 23 and the pivot 24 for a length of several inches in the direction of the bottom portion I I. Pan 25 is formed with a dog aperture 21 for the reception of a dog 28 which is a ilat elongated member comprising a hook 29 engaging the aperture 2'I. The free end of dog 28 is engageable with detent portion I4 of the cross member I3 by means of the aperture I5 in the detent portion I4.

Referring in particular to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, it is clear that aperture 2'I is located inward of aperture 2lia in lever arm 26 relative to pan 25. Downward pressure on dog 28, therefore, is effective to depress pan 25 and then spring the trap.

Trap II] embodying the present device operates as follows: Y

In Figs. 1 and 2, the trap is shown as set, spring follower leaves or plates 20 having been depressed from the position of Fig. 5, thus loading springs I1 and permitting the jaws to be opened. Dog 28 is pivoted over the adjacent jaw 2l and inserted in aperture l5 of cross member I3. Downward pressure on either the pan 25 or the dog 28 now results in depressing the pan 25 and pulling the dog 28 longitudinally to the left of Fig. 2' so that the free end thereof is pulled out of the aperture l5; the jaws 2| being' thus released, are forced upward by the spring follower plates 20 which are actuated by the springs l1 and the jaws are snapped shut, thereby trapping the animal in the device with his foot thrown inside the trap by the inward action of the released dog.

Referring in particular to Figs. 5 and 7 it is clear that aperture 21 beingv inward of pan 25 relative to aperture 26a, which is adapted to re' ceive the pivot 24, downward pressure on dog 28 alone is exerted against the outer Wall of aperture 21 and since this =wall is inward of the axis of aperture 26a, the result is that pan 25 pivots downward around pivot 24 and pulls dog 28 leftward longitudinally as previously explained, springing the trap.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as dened that one jaw may be pivoted to extend across the cross member inward of the upturned end of the cross member, a vertical pan post mounted on the cross member to be within the one jaw when said jaw is pivoted to extend across the cross member and formed at its top end with a hole, a p-an, a lever arm having its top edge secured on the bottom face of said pan inward of the top edge of the pan facing the upturned end of the cross member and having a portion extended downwardly and outwardly toward the upturned end of the cross member, said lever larm having the top edge of its downwardly and outwardly extending portion spaced slightly from the bottom face of said pan and formed with a. hole aligned with the hole of said pan post, a. pivot member engaged through the Ialigned holes of said pan post and said lever arm, and a dog extended laterally from the side of said pan above the'lower end of said lever arm to have its free outer end extended Iacross the one jaw and into the aperture of the upturned end of the base, said pan being formed with an aperture inward of the edge immediately above the downwardly and outwardly extended portion of said lever arm, said dog having its inner end bent into `a hook and turnably engaged through said aperture of said pan.

JOSEPH T. LIENHARD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in thev file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 529,129 Mead Nov. 13, 1894 1,122,151 Petty Dec. 22, 1914 1,539,103 Alston May 26, 1926 1,948,199 Booth Feb. 20, 1934 2,247,632 Graybill July 1, 1941 

